STRIDOR Novella Out Now!

2 Year Anniversary of BURN THE PLANS + TURN UP THE SUN Hardcover in Stock

Breakdown of this newsletter:

• The 2 year anniversary of my short story collection Burn the Plans

• The Stridor novella is now available as a standalone release in paperback and ebook

• Turn Up the Sun hardcover edition in stock on my store

Burn the Plans 2 Year Anniverary

On February 26th, 2022, my short story collection Burn the Plans was published by Cemetery Gates Media. All but 3 of the fourteen stories were written during a unique period in which I had the opportunity to be part of Chuck Palahniuk’s writing workshop. We’d meet once a week, bring printed copies of our stories, and read them out loud while the group scribbled notes about what worked, but more importantly, what didn’t.

During each workshop, Chuck would use one, or all, of the stories to illustrate and highlight a particular aspect of “minimalism” and how to apply it to make our stories, and our storytelling, stronger and more engaging. Many of these lessons that he imparted to us can be found in his vital book Consider This. If you’re a writer, I highly recommend checking it out. You’ll be returning to it again and again.

The workshop itself was not so much a place as it was a core group of writers dedicated to getting better at our craft. We tried to frighten, entertain, and break the hearts of our peers with the stories we brought in. If I think back, I can still remember so many of the stories I read, and who wrote them. So many strange and wonderful tales, connected intimately to the teller. The start of so many friendships that continue to this day.

I never intended the stories I wrote to become a collection. Many of them were published in various magazines and anthologies. A few were even turned into amazing audio-dramas by the fine folks at The NoSleep Podcast. It wasn’t until I put all of the stories into one document that it occurred to me maybe I had a book on my hands.

After connecting with Cemetery Gates Media, the collection was published with an unbelievably generous introduction by Michael Marshall Smith, and I am forever grateful for his kindness. The stunningly gifted artist David Mack created the cover art, which has little buried secrets within the image the more you stare at it.

My good friend Ryan Mills provided beautiful black and white illustrations for each story, and working with him throughout the process was an absolute joy of back and forth, of sketches and ideas. To me, his art became as much a part of the book as the stories themselves.

Here’s one from the story “Deep Down.”

Around the time of release, the brilliant podcaster and writer Neil McRobert invited to me come on his show Talking Scared. If you’ve ever listened to the podcast, then you know Neil is one of the most intelligent and insightful hosts in the game. I was a huge fan of the show before having the honor of being a guest and getting to chat about Burn the Plans. The conversation was a blast, and you can check it out here:

It’s also been released in audiobook, narrated by Connor Brannigan in a virtuosic display of creativity, performance, and production. If you like reading books with your ears, Connor brings each of these stories to life in such a uniquely vivid way.

A year and half later, I worked with Thunderstorm Books to put together a deluxe version of the book, this time with artwork by the always awesome Ben Baldwin.

I also wrote a brand new novella called Stridor, that was included as a “bonus story” for the Thunderstorm edition. This dark tale is an investigation into guilt, shame, and the ways in which keeping secrets haunts us, becomes a physical force in our lives, hurting not just us, but those we love. It follows a disgraced pediatrician who finds herself not only haunted, but stalked by her mistakes.

This story was recently been published as part of my novella collection Turn Up the Sun, which is now available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook. But I also wanted to separate it from that collection and give it a chance to exist as a standalone for those readers who prefer shorter, contained stories.

The cover artwork was done, once again, by the one and only Ryan Mills, who has also done cover art for my books Enter Softly, Heavy Oceans, and Turn Up the Sun.

Here’s my dog, Penny, with a copy of the book. She’s not too sure about the dog on the cover, and really, I don’t blame her. You’ll have to read the story to find out why, though.

Typically, I’m not one for looking backwards. I value forward motion, the future, momentum, and everything happening right now that connects to whatever happens next. So, I’m not sure why I felt the need to draw attention to the second anniversary of Burn the Plans, except that when I looked back at all the wonderful publishers, writers, and artists who helped usher that book into the world, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. So, I guess I’ll leave it there. Thank you all. To those who have read the book and supported it in some way, I am so thankful.

Turn Up the Sun hardcover copies in stock

The first batch of Turn Up the Sun hardcovers sold out quick, and a number of you messaged asking when I’d get more in stock. If you were one of those people, you can now head on over to the store and get your shiny, brand new, signed copy of Turn Up the Sun!

And, just a reminder: the blue (hardcover) and red (paperback) have the same content, just variant covers. You know, for fun.

Miscellaneous

• I’m currently writing the first draft of a new novel called Full Fathom Five, and it’s becoming a much bigger and crazier story than I anticipated. I hesitate to say too much at this point, but I will say this: if you enjoyed the story “Trigger” from Burn the Plans, and wondered whatever happened to those two brothers, you might be interested in this book. And yes, the final story in Burn the Plans is called “Full Fathom Five” as well, and that story and characters are a integral part of this novel, as well.

• I also have a couple other projects in various stages of development/completion. But more on those when the time is right.

• Cover artwork has started for my next Earthling novel Night of the Long Knives, coming Fall 2024. Working with talented artists to create art that represents and becomes the “face” of a book might be my favorite part of the process after writing the story. I can’t wait to share this one with you.

Things I’m Enjoying

MUSIC

Liam Gallagher - John Squire

Liam Gallagher (Oasis singer) and John Squire (The Stone Roses guitarist) just released a collaborative album that’s a throwback to 60s rock and psychedelia, mixed with classic 90s Britpop.

Everything Everything - Mountainhead

This eclectic British band is a combination of rock, math, and astrophysics. With every album, they push themselves to try new sounds, time signatures, and melodic arrangements. This album is no different and I’m loving it.

Dave Brubeck

My wife and I have been on a bit of a Brubeck kick lately, and his spry piano work actually makes gray, rainy Portland days feel almost whimsical. Worth revisiting some of his classic albums if it’s been awhile.

BOOKS

Incidents Around the House - Josh Malerman

This novel feels like a shift in Malerman’s storytelling, the start of a new era similar to when Dylan ditched the acoustic and went electric for Bringing it All Back Home. It’s not a change so much as it is an evolution. Every once awhile you read a book and get the sense that the author could not have written it at any other point in his/her life. It contains the lessons learned while writing many other books, in addition to the lessons learned from living. Call it wisdom, if you want. An awareness of how the world works, how people are. Incidents is like this. A book that knows exactly what it wants to be, and moves like a dancer on stage in a dark opera. It’s deft, scary, deep, and very human. It’s a special book.

Sarafina - Philip Fracassi

I just started Fracassi’s new book, so I’m still in its grip at the moment, but I can report that it’s everything you want and more. In fact, I’m going to shut up with this newsletter so I can get back to reading it.

FILM

Nuclear Now - Oliver Stone

A documentary about the history of nuclear power and its potential to revolutionize how we perceive energy. A timely and urgent film that makes a strong case for rethinking nuclear.

Alright, that’s it for now. This has been a long one, so thanks for hanging in there. Unless you skipped right to the end. In that case, “Hi!” But it’s over.

As always, my sincere gratitude to those who read the books and stories. It’s an honor.

Onward.

TJ